Power Cord with Thermal Control

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cord for powering a cooling element including a thermally-actuated switch assembly and a method of controlling a cooling element through a power cord including a thermally-actuated switch assembly in an alternating current (AC) circuit. The cord assembly includes a multiple conductor wire for carrying power and a heat reactive element. The heat reactive element is connected in line and integral with one of the conductors of the wire. The heat reactive element functions as a switch to conduct power through the wire in one state and to interrupt power through the wire in a second state. The heat reactive element changes from one state to the other state in response to ambient air temperature.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 279,467, filed Oct. 22, 2009, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to cords for powering and controlling a cooling element, and in particular to such cords for powering a cooling element including thermally-actuated switch assemblies and methods of controlling a cooling element through a power cord including a thermally-actuated switch assembly in an alternating current (AC) circuit.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Power cords for delivering power to cooling elements have been used in various electrical devices. For example, power cords are used to power alternating current devices with such cooling elements typically including a fan or other cooling element to assist in maintaining a specific operating temperature within an environment including a housing of the device. Temperature sensing elements...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]According to the present invention, a cord for powering a cooling element with thermal control is provided which is simple in design and in use substantially reduces energy consumption in cooling electrical and electronic devices in a cost effective manner. The power cord with thermal control includes a multiple conductor wire for carrying power and a heat reactive element placed in line of one of the conductors of the wire. The heat reactive element functions as a switch to conduct power through the wire in one state and to interrupt power through the wire in a second state. In a preferred embodiment, the wire is a two or three conductor wire which carries an alternating current signal and the heat reactive element is a thermistor. In another preferred embodiment the heat reactive element is a bi-metal thermistor. In yet another preferred embodiment the heat reactive element is thermistor which opens at a predetermined temperature or closes at a predetermined temperature, or a thermistor which opens at a first temperature and then closes at a second temperature.

Problems solved by technology

In standby mode, the electrical device is not operating at full capacity and requires less power thereby reducing the ambient air temperature within the device.

Such previous systems have provided variable current or power controls in a direct current (DC) circuit, or have included complex DC control circuitry for complicated adjustments to the cooling element power.

Such a system can often be complicated in requiring multiple electronic components, cumbersome in size, taking up valuable interior space within the housing of the electrical device, costly to manufacture and difficult to assemble and maintain.

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